In addition to women being interested in taking supplements and vitamins for skin beautification. There is another group. That is the main target of manufacturers of supplements and vitamins. Which is the elderly group have the financial resources and, more importantly, are concerned about their health. Because this is the age when serious diseases start to surround them.
Eye health problems are also a top problem for the elderly who start to have blurred vision and some may be afraid that they will have cataracts, glaucoma, and other symptoms. Therefore, eye supplements have started to be sold widely at various stalls and online.
However, like skin care supplements or weight loss pills , can these vitamins really nourish the eyes or treat eye diseases? We have the answer from Asst. Prof. Dr. Nawat Wattanachai, a lecturer in the Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, and from the Facebook page Eye Health by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists of Thailand, All About Eye by RCOPT.
Vitamins to treat cataracts and glaucoma?
First, let’s look at what causes cataracts and glaucoma. Most cataracts and glaucoma are caused by the degeneration of the สมัคร ufabet body, especially the optic nerve. Which is destroyed over time. There is no specific cause or external factor, and most patients do not know that they have these diseases because they are diseases with no symptoms and tend to occur in younger people. Especially working-age people aged 30 and over.
Although the treatment of cataracts and glaucoma in the early stages involves eye drops, oral medications, and injections. If it is said that cataracts and glaucoma can be cured by taking supplements or vitamins, the answer is “not true.” Taking supplements or vitamins that claim to make your vision clearer or cure your current eye disease is not possible because every disease requires specific prevention and treatment methods, or some cannot be prevented and can only be treated with methods specific to that disease.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nawat Wattanachai said, “Currently, reliable medical information has found that many vitamins or nutrients are beneficial in preventing, treating, and maintaining health. However, this is only true for certain conditions and only for certain diseases. In fact, most ophthalmologists accept only one disease, which is age-related macular degeneration.” This disease can be alleviated with a multivitamin that can reduce the risk of macular degeneration by 25%.
But only for patients with high risk. However, it does not help slow down or reduce existing cataracts. It does not have any effect on those who are not at risk of macular degeneration. Furthermore, people who still have normal vision and do not have this disease. Even if they take vitamins. It will not reduce the risk of developing this disease.
Do dietary supplements and vitamins for eye health really exist?
However, when it comes to eye diseases other than cataracts and glaucoma. There are research reports that are currently being studied and seem to have good prospects, namely taking omega-3 to help patients with dry eyes or tear deficiency. It has been reported that “if used as an aid, some patients with dry eye disease will have more comfortable eyes and less irritation and redness.”
For cataracts and glaucoma, manufacturers may avoid using the word “may”, such as “may delay cataracts,” “may help with vision,” or “may improve eye health.” However, there is no reliable research to confirm that taking any vitamin will improve vision.
Change your behavior to reduce your risk of eye disease.
Although the exact cause of cataracts and glaucoma cannot be identified. There are still risky behaviors that can lead to cataracts, glaucoma, and other eye-related diseases.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manchima Makarawattana or Dr. Nan from the website Rakta.com stated that smoking is a risk factor for cataracts, glaucoma, retinal degeneration, dry eyes, diabetes, retinal inflammation or uveitis. People who smoke have a risk of developing cataracts 2-3 times higher than normal people. In addition, cigarette smoke also damages the eye health of those around them.
In addition, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nawat Wattanachai also stated that wearing sunglasses when going outdoors, eating nutritious food, especially vegetables and fruits of different colors, by changing the types of food to be diverse all the time (or taking vitamin B complex in those who cannot eat vegetables and fruits), preventing and controlling chronic diseases well. Diseases that often cause eye problems are diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol. If there is an abnormality with the eyes. You should consult an ophthalmologist immediately. Do not buy medicine or vitamin supplements to take by yourself so that the doctor can examine the real cause and provide the right treatment.